Star of Courage

• Awarded on: March 25, 1985
• Invested on: September 27, 1985

Ernest Joseph Myers, S.C.
John Malcolm Weeks, S.C.
Star of Courage

On the morning of 4 June 1984, Ernest Myers and John Weeks rescued a man from the fishing vessel Misty Maiden II which had capsized in extremely rough seas. Fishing boats weathered ten-metre waves whipped by gale-force winds, waiting to proceed one by one through the narrow entrance of the harbour. After the Misty Maiden had overturned, the skipper unfortunately drowned but a non-swimmer rose from under the hull and struggled to keep his head above the surface. Mr. Weeks. owner of the Miss Linda LL, saw the mishap and without hesitation ploughed into the waves under full throttle. The floating nets and debris increased the danger, but he drew near the drowning man. A crewman tossed a life ring to the victim and pulled him towards the boat. His hands and clothing by then frozen stiff, Mr. Myers was unable to lift him unaided. Well aware that the Miss Linda II would be at the mercy of the stormy seas, Mr. Weeks left the controls and went to assist, then rushed back to the helm.